From losing over 180 pounds naturally and living a healthier lifestyle to now having a career helping others do the same. Chanel of the Lovely Bodies Health and Fitness talks about her weight lost journey, her delicious yet healthy meal prepping, and her transition from working in corporate America to working full time as a health and nutrition coach.

1. How does it feel to help others reach weight loss and health goals that you once struggled with yourself?

As cliche as it sounds, it truly is an honor to be in a position to help others reach goals that I never in a million years thought I’d be able to reach myself. This has always been my greatest struggle. I feel like with a lot of other nutritionists, they can oftentimes come off as a bit preachy and even a bit belittling when it comes to getting a client to eat right. I’m not going to judge a person for wanting shrimp fried rice and lemon pepper wings because we’re human. Sometimes you want tacos and a shot of tequila here and there and I feel like its my job to show them how they can have that and still lose weight while enjoying those things. While I know my approach is definitely going against the grain and probably even frowned upon, I’d rather be real with others and most importantly myself.

2. How did you find a balance in your recipes with great taste and good nutrition? Was it challenging? Were there a lot of trial, error, and research?

Balance for me came through trial and error. I knew that in order for me to be able to lose weight and keep it off; I would have to meal prep my food. My very first recipe I made for my meal prep was teriyaki chicken. Before then I went 5 months straight eating baked chicken. While I didn’t mind it because I was still losing weight at a rapid pace, I knew that eventually I would grow tired of it. There was definitely a lot of research with finding various ingredients and which kind work best for each body type. Even til this day I go through trial and error with recipes whether its not quite the right texture or the taste I’m looking for but a true artist doesn’t like all their work, right?

3. How was the transition from working in corporate America to working for yourself full time with Meal Prepping with Chanel and being the first health and nutrition coach for Lovely Bodies?

It was a very smooth transition, actually. I left corporate America on great terms and I’m so grateful for all of those people I met along the way. This probably was the most smooth transition I’ve ever made in my career. I planned to do this months in advance but over a year ago I always knew I would end up doing something related to nutrition at Lovely Bodies. I never thought I’d be able to quit my job to do it, but I did. I did it scared but the scariest thought for me was not making the transition out of comfort and wondering “What if?” 10 years from now and living with the feeling of regret and resentment towards my career.

4. What have been some wow factors since the transition?

The wow factors for me have definitely been the constant sold out events. I would have never thought I’d sellout anything but to have it happen constantly with no gimmicks or schemes other than doing what I love, is such a blessing.

5. Do you like to listen to any music while meal prepping and/or working out? If so, what music?

Yes, this is actually a little secret of mine but I can’t meal prep without my old school music whether its blaring from my Amazon Echo or my iPhone. I have to get in the zone. As much as I love Meg…I save her for my car on my way to the gym. I love listening to Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, Gerald Levert, Isley Brothers and Keith Sweat. My parents had me fairly late so I’m an old soul. I learned a lot about cooking from my mama and grandma. Listening to that genre reminds me of them, it makes me feel comfortable, relaxed and in my own world. I personally believe it plays a part in how my food comes out. Without music, my mind wanders too often. At Lovely Bodies, the trainers and I workout 5 days a week in our own session called Midnight Love from 10:30pm-12:00am. We usually listen to all of the newest rap and r&b albums, Right now Da Baby and Tory Lanez is in heavy rotation for us.

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